Question

Describe the sights that moved Buddha.

Hint:

To remember the four sights, think of the life cycle and its sufferings: Sickness, Old Age, Death, and the path to overcome them (the Monk).

Answer 1

Step 1: Understanding the Question:
The question asks to describe the four specific sights that deeply affected Prince Siddhartha (before he became the Buddha) and led him towards the path of enlightenment, as mentioned in "The Sermon at Benares."
Step 2: Key Concept - The Four Sights:
The core of Buddha's renunciation story lies in his encounter with four sights that revealed the reality of human suffering, which had been shielded from him.
Step 3: Detailed Explanation:
The sights that moved Buddha were witnessed by him during a hunting trip outside his palace. First, he saw a sick man, which made him realize that all bodies are subject to illness. Next, he saw an aged man, which taught him about the inevitability of old age and decay. Then, he witnessed a funeral procession, which exposed him to the ultimate reality of death. Finally, he saw a monk begging for alms, who seemed calm and at peace despite having no worldly possessions. These sights made him realize the prevalence of suffering in the world and inspired him to leave his palace to seek enlightenment.